Collision Collective Artist Talk

On Tuesday, March 9th, eight artists from the current exhibition “Collision 15:findings”, organized by William Tremblay and Yuri Stone, and which runs through March 27th, spoke about their work at Axiom. Works discussed range from an antique glass head with an internal video screen of thoughts, to a 9′ tall unfurling mechanical fiddlehead, to a digital print that displays its own code.

I am always amazed by these artists; they come to the Collision Collective from the engineering and computer science worlds, and use their (seemingly unlimited!) knowledge and skill sets to create works of art that are at the same time unbelievably crafted and unbelievably thought-provoking.

Joseph Farbrook spoke about the baffling concept of “locating oneself” inside the body- where DO we live? Is it in our head, or, as one talk attendee suggested, behind our left toe?

John Goodman has figured out a gear ratio that moves a sundial type apparatus in perfect motion with the turning of our blue planet, but in order to have it displayed in a gallery setting, he upped the speed to create perceptible movement. Was this necessary- do we need to SEE something moving in order to believe that it works?

Georgina Lewis and Ben Bray both touch on issues of clandestine government operations. On the idiosyncrasies of covert operations involving prisoner transport, and how we are secretly surveilled and analyzed.

Chris Fitch and Mark stock both blow my mind: these guys have no problem with algorithms that define natural processes- the unfolding of a fern on a spring walk through the woods and the path that fluids take become jumping off points for their artwork.

Rob Gonsalves questions our ideas of abstract expressionism (can anyone  paint in this genre following a standard set of rules?) and Dave Gordon makes us chuckle as we are surprised by whale song and video of fish seemingly swimming in our toilet (no cameras involved!) – and while we may crack a smile, we might just have more to ponder as we close that restroom door…

If you haven’t seen this show yet, you’re in for a treat. And bring your brain, whether its located in your cranium or, behind that little, left toe.

More info at www.axiomart.org